Bradley offense too much for CMU women’s basketball team

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Defense cost the Central Michigan women’s basketball team after a good offensive day during a 86-79 loss to Bradley Saturday afternoon at McGuirk Arena.

“It was a disappointing loss,” said head coach Sue Guevara. “We just need to get some production defensively.”

The CMU defense had no answer for the Braves senior center Leah Kassing who put up 22 points and brought down 14 rebounds, six of which were on offense. Junior guard Katie Yohn had 21 points, 12 of which were from beyond the arc.

“Our backline has to react a lot faster and our guards have to contain penetration by not allowing people to get in front of them and not allowing middle penetration,” Guevara said. “We need to make contact (on the rebounds) we’re pretty athletic but we can’t out jump people.”

On the offensive side it was a different story.

Freshman guard Crystal Bradford defends Bradley guard Shronda Butts during the first half of Saturday's game at McGuirk Arena in Mount Pleasant. Butts finished the game with eight points, three assists and four rebounds during Bradley's 86-79 win over the Chippewas. (Andrew Kuhn/Assistant Photo Editor)

The Chippewas had four players score in double figures. Freshman guard Jessica Green led with 17 points and junior guard Brandie Baker had 15. Junior guard Jalisa Olive also had 15 points with a couple deep 3-pointers and freshman guard Crystal Bradford had 14 points.

The ball handling improved for CMU as it kept the turnovers to a season low (12) with only three in the second half.

“The turnovers improved and we don’t have hurry and pass without looking,” Green said. “We just make the simple passes.”

Freshman guard Jessica Green moves the ball up the court during the second half of Saturday's game against Bradley at McGuirk Arena in Mount Pleasant. Green finished the game with 13 points, one assist and five rebounds during the Chippewas' 86-79 loss. (Andrew Kuhn/Assistant Photo Editor)

The Chippewas were good from behind the 3-point line shooting 42.1 percent making eight 3-pointers. Olive lead the team with four, Baker had two.

Bradford added one and sophomore guard Niki DiGuilio had one of her own to help give her five points on the day.

“We have 3-point shooters,” Guevara said. “We have (sophomore forward Jordan) LaDuke who will be eligible against Purdue and she is a very good 3-point shooter.”

CMU will play No. 16 in the nation Purdue at 2 p.m. on Sunday Dec. 11 in McGuirk Arena.

“Unless we defend and rebound we may have the same result,” Guevara said. “I don’t like this feeling.”